New Fabric, New Kits, Never Enough Time

Now that I'm done with school, I feel like I have TONS of time! Consequently, I'm getting a TON of stuff done. Or, at least I'm doing a good job of fooling myself into thinking I'm getting a lot done! And yes, believe it or not, that quilting list is starting to show signs of progress.

New things in the store this week include a gorgeous fabric line from Maywood Studios, called Paisley. It's already selling online, so if you have something in mind don't hesitate to get your fabric! It will make beautiful tonal, one/two color quilts!

Just in today, the remaining fabrics for the Sunflower Hill BOM I posted about earlier. I hope to get my own sample kit cut today or tomorrow. Then, I'm making myself put that last border on Comforts of Home before I start my Sunflower Hill! By the way, Comforts of Home is looking gorgeous, with the final red border half sewn on!

Arriving this week also, some new kits from Happy Hollow Designs. I've seen this company's projects around, drooled over them at previous Quilt Markets, and now I am finally taking some time to try them out. They specialize in holiday projects, mostly Fall and Christmas, so I am ordering them in plenty of time to make some stuff before this Fall! (in theory, anyways)

With the kids' final day of school being this Friday, my TONS of time will probably soon be gone. Oh well, it was good while it lasted! With the beautiful weather we've been having, I'll have to squeeze in some time for fun anyways. My wake board has been collecting far too much dust, and I am looking forward to finally learning some fancy tricks. And no, I'm not delusional, just optimistic!

One Border Left, Sunflower Hill, and Needlepunch

First things first, here's my Comforts of Home! One border left, a 5" red border, and the top will be finished. Kits will include similar fabrics, from Kansas Troubles and Buggy Barn, as well as the wool bundle for the applique.

Next stop, Sunflower Hill! I received my shop packet for this new block of the month program, and plan to start my sample quilt next week, as soon as the fabrics arrive. If you remember Garden Friends, you'll remember how beautiful these quilts are in real. Kits will begin shipping in June or July, and the fabric for these is hard to come by, so first come, first served! Sign up now or risk losing your chance to make a beautiful heirloom.

And finally.......my newest venture, Needle Punch. Also referred to as Punchneedle, this is a fun new craft I'm trying out. I've uploaded the available supplies and patterns, as well as my full stock of DMC floss, available online or in the store now! I'm trying out the Spring project as my first attempt, and will be sharing it at this month's Moda University meeting. So far, it's fairly easy to pick up, but takes a little while to adjust to the proper technique. Sufice it to say, my first section looks a little rough, but each section keeps getting better! It's quite addictive, and my 12 year old daughter has been eye balling it and asking questions. Maybe I'll have her whipping up some Needle Punch samples soon!

Charm Candy-Done!

I did it, I did it! I actually finished something in less than 6 months! My Charm Candy Bag, made using Wee Play fabrics is done. It actually only took about 3 hours. What do ya mean, ya don't believe me? See for yourself...

Comforts of Home-Little by Little

Little by little, I am finishing my Comforts of Home! Here is an updated pic.

New Fabrics-Studio E

This week some of the fabrics and items I ordered during my trip to Portland in March arrived. Studio E is a relatively new fabric manufacturer. Their fabrics are high quality, similar to Moda, Red Rooster, Etc. They also have pre-cuts, the Studio E version of a precut is a package of rectangles that are 5 inches x 9.5 inches.

What really caught our eye at Portland was a "bed scarf." (Think over-sized tablerunner here) The pattern is made using mostly their pre-cut rectangles, plus some large applique for the fern leaves. The result is gorgeous, and it can be made in any size to fit any bed. A bed scarf lays across the foot of the bed, or if you make the smaller one it works perfectly as a tablerunner.

The fabric line is called Fresh Aire. You'll notice I've only stocked the fabrics necessary to make the scarf/runner. Kit prices for the scarf will be up soon!

Also from Studio E, a new quilt kit in stunning black and white. See Charleston Gate under quilt kits.

Watch for new Studio E fabrics to arrive over the next few months!

First Grade Mafia

This past Monday was my daughter's 7th birthday, and all week she's been trying to decide who to invite over for her sleepover. Today on the way home, she and her sister were discussing possible invites, when a girl we'll call "Suzy" came up. "Suzy" was no longer in the running, after she had apparantly helped herself to some of Kylee's LPS's.

It turns out that my daughter had taken her "LPS's" (Littlest Pet Shop toys) to school, and "Suzy" had apparantly taken a few. Five, to be exact. "Suzy" claimed they were lost, so she couldn't give them back.

I instructed the girls to make me a list of missing LPS's so I could call "Suzy's" mom and ask if "Suzy" might have borrowed them. While they were making their list, I heard the following tid bit of conversation.

7 year old says to older sister: "See, that's why I wanted to invite her. So I could rip her arm off and you could throw her outside."

And that's how I know my daughter's in the First Grade Mafia!

New Quilt As You Go Book from G.E. Designs

G.E. Designs has a brand new quilt-as-you-go book coming out in the next few weeks, "Fast and Furious." The book is full of great looking patterns, from baby quilts to bags to runners, you'll find pictures of all of it at Gudrun's blog. Check out www.gequiltdesigns.com for a link to the G.E. Designs Blog, or visit www.gudrun.typepad.com. Watch for the book to arrive in store soon! If you haven't tried quilt-as-you-go, and especially using G.E. Designs patterns, you will be surprised at how easy and how time saving this technique is!